Seattle Family Calendar
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November is jam-packed full of seasonal fun starting with Día de los Muertos celebrations and peak salmon spotting, ending with holiday happenings, and fun ways to get extra wiggles out in between. Thankfully, there is a whole cornucopia of activities out there that won’t cost you anything at all! I’ve gathered up the best 25 free things to do around Seattle and beyond to explore.
Note: Some activities require preregistration and can fill up quickly.
Día de los Muertos Events
Dates: Nov. 1–15
Gather up the family and honor your departed loved ones alongside the community at one of the many vibrant Día de los Muertos celebrations going on in the region. You’ll find ofrendas (altars), music, dance, food and kids activities among the many shared traditions.
Bunka no Hi – Japanese Culture Day
Date and time: Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Don’t miss Bunka no Hi, a free Japanese culture day fest at the Seattle Japanese Cultural & Community Center. Learn about Japan’s unique forms of art and enjoy presentations about sumo wrestling, the art of swords, tea ceremonies and much more.
Story Time at the Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum
Dates and time: Mondays, Nov. 2, 16 and 30, 11 a.m.–noon
Every other Monday, bring the kids to the always-free Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum for two read-aloud stories, a themed activity, a coloring project and a look at some of the museum’s historic objects.
Diwali: Festival of Lights Celebration at Newcastle Library
Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 5–7 p.m.
All ages are invited to learn about and celebrate Diwali by making crafts such as Madhubani art bookmarks and festive tealight holders. Plus, get a taste of a cultural treat!
Celebrate Diwali at The Bellevue Collection
Dates: Nov. 2–8
Looking to experience more Diwali traditions? Head to Bellevue Square to view beautiful sari and rangoli displays and pick up a lantern craft to take home through Nov. 8. Plus, enjoy various dance performances and workshops on Saturday, Nov. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. during the mall’s celebration.
Free Admission to Volunteer Park Conservatory
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Escape to a tropical getaway when you enter a stunning indoor botanical garden housed in a historical greenhouse on one of its free days. The Volunteer Park Conservatory does not charge admission on the first Thursday of the month.
Red Barn Drop-In Toddler Play
Dates and time: Fridays, Nov. 6–27, 10–11 a.m. through Dec. 11
Calling all toddlers! Head to the Big Red Barn at Farrel-McWhirter Farm in Redmond and have a blast playing in the giant straw pit, making new friends and burning some pre-nap energy. Preregister.
Full STEAM Ahead
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
This STEAM fair at the Children’s Museum of Skagit County also doubles as a resource fair where local families can learn about support available to them while kids take in rounds of mini golf and other science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.
Winter Stoke Party
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 7, 4–8 p.m.
Calling all snow bunnies! Get excited for skiing and snowboarding with this pre-season block party packed with live music, contests and activities in downtown Enumclaw. Kids can play carnival games, bounce in the Fun Zone, and roast Twinkies and marshmallows.
Fall Foliage Festival
Dates and time: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 7–8, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the unmistakable sights and sounds of autumn, from vibrant fall colors to rustling leaves as you wander the trails of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden during its annual Fall Foliage Festival. Don’t miss the scavenger hunt and other activities just for kids!
Seattle Forest Week
Dates: Nov. 7–15
Join your friends, family and community at one of the plethora of Seattle Forest Week events happening in Seattle to protect and appreciate our urban forests. Opportunities include planting, forest bathing, bird and plant walks, and more. All ages are invited to join in. Preregister.
Living Voices: Native Vision at Kirkland Library
Date and time: Monday, Nov. 9, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Bring the older kids to the Kirkland Library to witness history through a live theatrical performance and archival film in this presentation by Living Voices about experiences of Native American boarding schools and the World War II Navajo Code Talkers.
Classical Tuesdays in Old Town
Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7–8:30 p.m.
For a bit of musical culture, enjoy free monthly classical concerts at Slavonian Hall in Old Town Tacoma. November’s concert features sonatas by Johann Sebastian Bach and his family and highlights the sounds of the recorder and harpsichord.
Family Day: Veterans Day at White River Valley Museum
Date and time: Wednesday, Nov. 11, noon–4 p.m.
Drop by the White River Valley Museum on this no-school day to celebrate Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day. Explore indigenous foods and traditions and learn about the military medics who cared for troops on the front lines.
Cascade Recycling Center Tour
Date and time: Friday, Nov. 13, noon–1 p.m.
Find out what happens to the paper, glass and plastic containers your family sorts in bins once it’s picked up from the curb. Recommended for ages 10 and older, this tour of the Cascade Recycling Center in Woodinville will give you an inside look at state-of-the-art recycling technology in action. Preregister.
Hmong New Year Celebration
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Explore and celebrate the unique culture of the local Hmong community through arts, food, music, hands-on activities and games during a festival at the Seattle Center.
Arts at the Armory
Dates and time: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 14–15, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Head over to the Tacoma Armory and meet more than 100 Tacoma artists at a family-friendly arts market where you might even get a jump-start on finding special gifts for the holidays.
Age of the Dinosaurs at White Center Library
Date and time: Monday, Nov. 16, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
It’s Dino-vember so excavate yourself a good time exploring the Mesozoic world when dinosaurs walked the Earth. Head to the White Center Library to examine fossils and casts from the Burke Museum and learn about the ecosystems where these giants lived.
Seattle Festival of Trees
Dates: Nov. 16–Dec. 1
For a gasp-worthy holiday display, parade by the Fairmont Olympic to peep at its annual Festival of Trees. The display of gorgeously decked-out greenery honors the heroic young patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Dig Into Dinos With Mikey the Rad Scientist
Dates and times: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6–6:45 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 28, 11:15 a.m.–noon
Did I mention that it is Dino-vember? The youngest dino enthusiasts will dig dancing, singing and roaring through a prehistoric musical adventure with Mikey the Rad Scientist at shows at the North Bend and Shoreline Libraries.
Olaf’s Frozen Adventure Story Time With the Snow Sisters
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 19, 10:15–11 a.m.
Do you feel that chill in the air? Dress up as your favorite “Frozen” character and meet the Snow sisters during an interactive story time with music, fun and photo ops. The frosty festivities take place at the Carnation Library.
Salmon Celebrations
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 21, times vary
It’s salmon season, and there’s plenty to celebrate with the return of our fishy friends to local rivers across the region. Choose an event for your family to attend! You can make crafts and dissect salmon at Piper’s Creek, visit booths and complete Salmon Passports at Donkey Creek, or become a salmon scientist at Mary Olson Farm as you observe spawning salmon.
Seattle Center Winterfest Kicks Off
Dates and time: Friday–Saturday, Nov. 27–28, times vary
The holiday season has officially commenced. There is no greater sign than when Seattle Center’s Winterfest kicks off with jolly entertainment at the Armory, cheerful lights outside, cozy family movie nights, ice sculpting, and a whimsical train and village and display.
FWPAEC Holiday Festival
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 28, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Free and for the whole family, head to the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center for its annual holiday festival, complete with visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a classic holiday film, face painting, crafts and tons of seasonal fun. Don’t miss the magical snowstorm finale!
Cookies With Santa
Date and time: Sunday, Nov. 29, noon–3 p.m.
Need more quality time with Santa? Top off the weekend with a visit to the jolly fellow at the Heritage Cottage in Lynnwood. Take a photo, ride the trolley and enjoy yummy treats.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in February 2024, and was most recently updated on Oct. 28, 2026, to include 25 new, exciting free things to do in Seattle in November for families by ParentMap’s calendar editor, Julie Dodobara. Event dates, times and locations were cross-checked and verified by our editor.
